By Tony Ogaga Erhariefe, Deji Aroloye & Precious Okeke
On the night of April 14, 2014, the nation was thrown into tears and confusion after it was a reported that 278 girls had been kidnapped by one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world, the dreaded Boko Haram, from their hostel at Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Today, over two years after, controversy continues to trail the incidence. While politicians including the United Nation’s Ban Ki-Moon and Michelle Obama and governments across the world have called for the rescue of the girls with the launch of the popular hash tag, bringbackourgirls, some have continued to doubt if the event actually happened describing it as a scam.
However, an up-and-coming singer, Peter Abraham aka Chibok Boy, a native of Chibok, Borno State, has come forward with his story declaring that his immediate younger sister, Jonalle Anthonia Abraham, was among those kidnapped on that fateful day. In this chat with TS Weekend, the act shares his story.
Excerpts:
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Peter Abraham. I am from Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State. I am a musician and my stage name is Chibok Boy. I left Chibok when I was much younger. I think when I was 13 years-old then. I was in Primary Six when I left. Today I am 24 years-old. I was born in 1992 in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, North-east Nigeria. I am also the sixth of 13 children.
Can you recount what it was like growing up in Chibok?
I was born and raised in Chibok. It used to be a peaceful place where we all lived as one and loved each other. That was until April 14, 2014, when 278 girls were kidnapped in their hostel. It was a sad experience and my immediate younger sister, the seventh child of my parents was also a victim; she was kidnapped on that fateful day while they were preparing for their exams. The Boko Haram attack shattered our lives.
How did you take the news?
It really affected me because living without someone you love so much is really hard especially when she is your immediate younger sister. I was the closest to her in the family. I feel so helpless because there is very little I can do about it because up till now, two years after, despite all the pledges and promises of support by governments like the UK and USA and promises by the Nigerian government to rescue the girls, they are yet to be rescued. The name of my sister who was kidnapped is Jonalle Anthonia Abraham. I don’t know how to explain it but I know she is not dead but it is really hard living without her.
How are your parents and siblings coping?
My mum almost died because she was always thinking. When I got back home and saw my mother I was surprised. I did not know she was my mother because she had lost so much weight. They were all in Chibok when this thing happened. I told them we should move to another local government. We moved there but my father said he was not comfortable staying away from Chibok so we moved back to Chibok.
When was the last time you spoke to your sister?
I spoke to her the day before the incidence. She called me on phone and said she was happy and excited and was looking forward to writing her last paper the next day. She was supposed to return home after her last paper the next day but she never made it home.
What were her dreams?
She always told me she would like to be a medical doctor so she could take care of sick people but now that this thing has happened I don’t know…
How is Chibok today?
Life is gradually returning to normal but people are still leaving in fear because of Boko Haram. They will leave you to gather before coming to destroy the people all over again. It could take you like two or three months to gather but once you do, they will attack again. I am not sure if Chibok will be the peaceful place it used to be again. We need help seriously from the government.
Today you’re in Lagos, why did you leave Chibok?
Poverty! I left because there was no money to send me to school. I had to leave to look for something to do on my own so I came to Lagos. When I came to Lagos I stayed with one of my brothers who works as a security man at a church. When the pastor heard the experiences I had gone through, he invited me to join the choir and that was where I met sister Bukky. I told her everything about myself and she took me to the pastor and explained everything to him. The pastor asked me if I wanted to go to school and I said yes. Immediately he sent me to school.
When did you start music?
I started doing music at the age of six when I was in primary school after which I also joined a group named Kungiya Sabonrairi which means Team Of New Life. I started doing music officially in 2015. I entered into gospel music so I could touch lives and I also see it as a way of giving back to the community out of the talent God has given me. The title of my first song is Chibok Boy and I named it Chibok Boy because I am a native of Chibok and I want people to know that Chibok will rise again notwithstanding the state of the town now. Our girls will eventually be rescued and my sister would be reunited with her family.
Are your parents in support of your music?
Actually I left my family in Chibok in 2010 when the crisis began and came to Lagos, so they were not aware of my music career till I dropped my first album.
What is your favourite track in your album?
It is called Forever, I love the track because there are lots of messages and it’s all about God.
What inspires you and who are your role models?
The Almighty God is my source of inspiration and my role models are Frank Edward, Ken Okoye and Bella.